The Foreign Service Journal, March 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2013 59 2012 AFSA ANNUAL REPORT AFSA NEWS Every year, AFSA has the honor of paying tribute to our col- leagues who have given their lives while serving the American people. On May 4, Foreign Affairs Day, Sharon S. Clark’s name was added to the memorial plaques. The first plaque was unveiled in the C Street lobby of the Department of State in 1933 by Secretary of State Henry Stimson. There are now two plaques honoring 237 members of the Foreign Service who have died in the line of duty. AFSA President Susan Johnson and Under Secretary of State Maria Otero presided over the ceremony honoring Ms. Clark. An office management specialist, she died of cerebral malaria in December 2010 while assigned to the U.S. embas- sy’s regional security office in Abuja. Ms. Clark’s children and grandchildren were all present for the solemn ceremony, which underscored the importance of paying tribute to those who gave their lives in the service of their country. AFSA is honored to play that role for the Foreign Service. n On May 4, Foreign Affairs Day, Bryseton Bumgardner contemplates his grandmother, Sharon S. Clark, whose name is inscribed on the AFSA Memorial Plaque. The Memorial Plaques Under Secretary Maria Otero offers words of condolence to the family of Sharon S. Clark during AFSA’s plaque ceremony in the Department of State’s C Street lobby. PHOTOSBYDONNAAYERST